NBCUniversal alum Jamie Willcocks rolls out two industry AI ventures

Former NBCUniversal and Verizon Media producer Jamie Willcocks has launched two UK-based AI ventures designed to help creatives navigate the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence.

Jamie Willcocks

Adiam Yemane

The first, aiteachers.co, is a specialised consultancy offering advice on the implications of AI on the media and arts ecosystem. The second, Stay Lucky, is an agency that helps brands and media companies use AI to visualise their development projects.

Both operations draw on Willcocks’ in-depth knowledge of generative AI and his 17 years of industry experience working across concept creation for TV, marketing and product development.

Willcocks said that the two ventures will address the growing demand for AI expertise in creative fields while “maintaining the human insight and skill that drives meaningful work.”

He began his career in the TV industry in 2007 as part of Endemol’s development internship and went on to serve in development teams at Fremantle, Princess, Objective, 12 Yard and Bandicoot.

Willcocks spent four years at NBCUniversal, working on shows such as reality format Made in Chelsea and quiz show The 21st Question. He also served as senior development producer at Verizon Media.

More recently, Willcocks pivoted into working on creative AI projects and offering AI consultancy services to companies such as Black Mirror producer Broke & Bones.

He said: “There’s a mix of excitement, fear and confusion in the creative sectors, and I aim to provide clarity as businesses decide whether they want to embrace AI, resist it, or find a reasonable middle ground.

“Although we’re now in a world where we can generate thousands of ideas in a few seconds, knowing what a good idea is as important as ever – and that’s where my background in creating concepts for some of the world’s most well-known companies provides the essential human touch.”